The Native Spirit: Capturing the Soul of the North
Photographer Olayinka Ehi discusses her latest series documenting the intersection of youth culture and northern heritage.
Olayinka Ehi doesn't just take pictures; she captures moments of quiet intensity. Her latest series, 'The Native Spirit', is a hauntingly beautiful exploration of identity in Northern Nigeria.
Through a series of intimate portraits, Ehi challenges the monochromatic view often held of the North. She shows us a generation that is deeply rooted in heritage but also fiercely individualistic.
Visual Storytelling
The use of natural light and the earthy tones of the Sahel landscape create a sense of timelessness. Ehi's subjects—often models cast from the streets of Kano and Kaduna—carry themselves with a grace that is both ancient and modern.
"I want people to see the dignity and the complexity of these young lives."